Boyko sees Yekhanurov’s visit to Moscow as positive step

Molod Ukrayiny (Youth of Ukraine)
October 4, 2005

Despite great expectations regarding Prime Minister Yekhanurov’s visit to Moscow, the leader of
Ukraine’s Republican Party, Yuri Boyko, considers it unlikely that the visit will bring about
any significant change in Ukraine-Russia relations, although he judges the visit a positive
first step in improving relations.

In talking to the press, Boyko pointed out that the purpose of the visit was to lay the
foundation for better communication as the first step towards better bilateral ties.

“We should praise this important initial contact, but we cannot expect a shift in energy policy
based upon this visit,” Boyko said.

Boyko said that a willingness on the part of Ukraine and Russia to address larger geopolitical
and economic issues will come only after the initial confidence-building stage, but that the
process of increasing mutual understanding should be seen as an improvement on the empty
rhetoric that has characterized bilateral relations over the past six months.

While stressing the importance of confidence-building measures between the two countries, Boyko
was clear in stating that there are no problems with Russia’s energy sector currently. In fact,
“we have signed agreements covering both gas prices and tariffs for the next five years,” he
said.

Problems with Russia’s energy sector, and specifically with the Russian energy giant GasProm,
only emerged when the Ukrainian government tried to change the previously agreed terms for
payment to energy carriers.

“Without strict adherence to signed agreements, Ukraine cannot expect Russia to guarantee a
steady supply of gas at fixed prices,” Boyko said.